Loin and butt box

ABSTRACT

The container of the present invention is formed from a single flat blank of material such as corrugated paperboard, in such a manner that the resultant container includes triple wall end sections, a reinforced bottom wall, a single panel top wall and a top wall supporting flap with integral retaining tabs, foldably attached to a single panel front wall. The container is designed preferably for packaging odd shaped objects, and the retaining tabs are arranged to permit easy loading of the container in assembly line fashion with the top wall panel open, while the top wall supporting flap provides support for the top wall panel in the closed condition, and, especially when the container is finally strapped closed.

United States Patent 1 Osborne Dec. 17, 1974 LOIN AND BUTT BOX [75] Inventor: Edward L. Osborne, Kansas City,

Kans.

[73] Assignee: Westvaco Corporation, New York,

[22] Filed: Feb. 22, 1973 [2]] Appl. No.: 334,563

[52] .U.S. Cl. 229/34 R, 229/16 R, 229/36, 229/44 R [51] lnt. Cl 865d 5/24 [58] Field of Search... 229/34 R, 44 R, 3 B, 34 HW, '229/16 R, 47

[56] References Cited UNlTED STATES PATENTS l,373,292 3/1921 Blandford 229/l6 R 2,426,783 9/1947 McCormick 229/34 R 2,887,263 5/l959 Wright 229/47 X 3,203,613 8/1965 Stowe 229/16 R Primary ExaminerWilliam i. Price Assistant ExaminerStephen P. Garbe [5 7] ABSTRACT The container of the present invention is formed from a single flat blank of material such as corrugated paperboard, in such a manner that the resultant container includes triple wall end sections, a reinforced bottom wall, a single panel top wall and a top wall supporting flap with integral retaining tabs, foldably attached to a single panel front wall. The container is designed preferably for packaging odd shaped objects, and the retaining tabs are arranged to permit easy loading of the container inassembly line fashion with the top wall panel open, while the top wall supporting I flap provides support for the top wall panel in the closed condition, and, especially when the container is finally strapped closed.

3 Claims, 7 Drawing Figures PATENTED SEE! 71974 SHEET 2 0F 2 LOIN AND BUTT BOX SUMMARY OF INVENTION The present invention relates generally to a storage and shipping container for use in the meat packing industry. The container is preferably fabricated from corrugated paperboard material that is treated with a moisture and grease resistant barrier, and the container is formed from a blank of the material which is cut and scored to provide the different panels of the container.

Containers of the type described herein must be durable and strong because of the manner in.which they are loaded, closed, stored and shipped. Approximately 60 percent of the. containers are over packed and because of the over packing, the walls of the container, particularly the front wall (where a single panel front wall is used), tend to bulge thus producing even more problems with regard to closing, storage and shipment. In addition, the preferred method for closing containers of the type described herein is with the use of strapping machinery. Staples or stitches are deemed undesirable because of the possibility of contamination of the product and the possibility of some of the stitching elements getting mixed in with thecontents of the container.

For the purpose of providing some additional strength tocontainers of the type disclosed, it is known to orient the principalscore lines in the container blank to extend transversely of the corrugations of the corrugated material. This feature also facilitates faster folding of the different panels of the container as taught in US. Pat. No. 3,669,638. Moreover, it is also known to provide, in containers of the type disclosed herein, multiple thickness end and side walls thus producing containers having good stacking and crush resistance. US. Pat. Nos. 2,942,768 and 3,667,666 each teach the aforementioned technique.

However, to the best of applicants knowledge, there is no known teaching ofa container construction which incorporates each of the above mentioned features, and in addition, provides other features to make the container most desirable for packaging overloads; for convenient and easy loading in assembly line fashion, and, for withstanding the stresses encountered when the container is strapped closed on conventional container strapping machinery.

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a cut and scored blank of material, preferably corrugated paperboard,'that may be used to form a strong and durable container wherein the blank requires only a minimum amount of material. The principal score lines in the blank provided herein are arranged to extend perpendicular to the corrugations of the blank material, to thereby provide faster folding and increased strength to the finished container, and the combination of flaps and panels provided in the blank yield a container which has triple panel end wall sections, single panel front, rear and top walls and a reinforced. bottom.

Moreover, since containers of the type described herein are preferably strapped closed, and since conventional containers when strapped suffer damage most often at corners which are not reinforced, it is another object of the present invention to provide a top wall supporting'flap with integral tabs, that is foldably attached to the front wall of the container for the purpose of reinforcing the only remaining unreinforced corner of the container. In addition, the position of the top wall supporting flap disclosed herein in conjunction with the preferred direction of corrugations in the supporting flap tends to provide additional resistance to bulges in the front wall of the container especially when the container is over packed.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a container of the type disclosedwhich may be loaded easily in assembly line fashion, and later squared for strapping with the least number of complications. This object is carried out as a result of the location and use of the integral retaining tabs attached to l the top wall supporting flap, wherein, during the loading stage, the retaining tabs fit loosely within and between a slot provided in the triple panel end walls so that the front wall of the container is angulated slightly forward to yield a generous sized opening for loading. Later on with the container fully loaded, the retaining tabstend to maintain the front wall of the container in a ready position for the strapping process, and finally,

when the container is strapped closed, the retaining V DESCRIPTION OF DRAWING FIG. 1 is an elevational view of the blank from which the novel container described herein may be con structed; a

FIG. la is an enlarged fragmentary elevational view of a modified form of the upper left corner of the blank shown in FIG. I;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a container constructed from the blank shown in FIG. 1 in a partial state of assembly;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the final containe constructed from the blank of FIG. 1 completely assembled and ready for loading;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the fully loaded container after strapping and ready for shipment;

FIG. 5 is a schematic representation of a typical cross section taken on thelines 5-5 of FIG. 3 showing the relationship of the front and top wall panels just prior to the strapping step; and,

FIG. 6 is a view similar to FIG. 5 showing the same panels after strapping.

DETAIILED DESCRIPTION The present invention relates to a container which is preferably fabricated from corrugated paperboard and which is formed from a single blank of corrugated paperboard. The components of the container consist mainly of triple panel end wall sections, single panel front, top and back walls and a reinforced bottom wall.

- In addition, the container of the present invention includes a top wall support flap, which, in combination with a pair of integral retainingtabs connected thereto, serves to provide each of the advantageous differences between the claimed container and those taught by the prior art.

Thus the container of the present invention is constructed from a suitably cut and scored blank 10 of corrugated paperboard wherein the corrugations in the paperboard preferably extend in the direction shown by the arrow on the blank 10 of FIG. 1. The direction of the corrugations is arranged to be perpendicular to the principal score lines ll, 12, 13 and 14 to permit faster folding of the wall components of the container and provide increased strength in the finished container. Accordingly the blank consists of a single panel top wall 15 connected to a single panel rear wall 16 by fold line 11, a bottom wall panel 17 connected to the rear wall panel 16 by fold line 12, a single panel front wall 18 connected to the bottom wall panel 17 by fold line 13, and a top wall panel supporting flap 19 connected to the front wall panel 18 by fold line 14. In addition, the blank 10 is further characterized by having a pair of first side flaps located adjacent each end of the main wall panels 15, 16 17 and 18. Thus, the first side flaps 20 and 21 located adjacent the ends of top wall panel 15 are separated therefrom by the cut lines 22, 23 and include cut-out notches 24, 25 at the inside free edges thereof. In addition, the first side flaps 20, 21 each include therein a hand hole cut-out. 26, 27 and at the end free edges thereof, each side flap 20, 21 includes a first locking tab 28, 29 tobe described more fully hereinafter. The first side flaps 20, 21 are connected to a pair of second side flaps 30, 31 by a pair of spaced fold lines 32, 33 and 34, 35 respectively, and each of the second side flaps 30, 31 are connected to the rear wall panel 16 by fold lines 36, 37. In addition, the second side flaps 30, 31 each include therein a hand hole cut-out 38, 39 which cut-outs are identical in size and shape but reversed from the hand hole cut-outs 26, 27 in first side flaps 20, 21. Meanwhile, a pair of bottom wall reinforcing flaps 40, 41 are shown as'being connected to the second side flaps 30, 31 by fold lines 42, 43 and separated from the bottom wall panel 17 by cut lines 44, 45. Further, the bottom wall reinforcing flaps 40, 41 each include tab receiving slots 46, 47 located substantially in the center of the fold lines 42, 43 for receiving the first locking tabs 28, 29 of the first side flaps 20, 21in the erected condition of the container. The bottom wall reinforcing flaps 40, 41 are separated from a pair of third side flaps 50, 51 by' a pair of cut lines 48, 49. Each of the cut lines 48, 49 are shaped to provide a second pair of locking tabs 52, 53 on the third side flaps 50, 51 and the third side flaps 50, 51 are connected to the front wall panel 18 by fold lines 54, 55. Of course, since the third side flaps 50, 51 each form the third wall of the ends of the container as erected,

they each also include hand hole cut-outs 56, 57 which are identical in size, shape and location within the flaps to the hand hole cut-outs 26, 27 in first side flaps 20, 21. Finally, the description of the container blank is complete by noting the retaining tabs 60, 61 connected at each end of the top wall supporting flap 19 by fold lines 62, 63. g

It may be seen that the blank 10 of FIG. 1 is cut and scored to provide an easily set-up, yet strong and dura ble container consisting of a main body portion formed by the main body wall panels 15, 16, 17 and 18, triple wall end sections formed by the side flaps 20, 30, 50 and 21, 31, 51, and a reinforced bottom wall panel formed by the bottom wall. reinforcing flaps 40, 41. In addition, as shown in FIG. 3 of the drawing, the container includes a novel articulated top wall supporting purpose and are not considered pertinent to the invention herein.

Accordingly, for the purpose of providing a uniquely desirable container particularly for packaging odd shaped objects, and adapted to be strapped. closed rather than stitched or glued, the container of the present invention is assembled as illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3. First, with the blank 10 arranged on the floor or a work table of any desired height, the second side flaps 30, 31 are folded upwardly about their fold lines 36, 37

and the bottom wall reinforcing panels. 40, 41 are folded inwardly about their fold lines 42, 43. Thereafter, the third side flaps 50, 51 are folded upwardly about their fold lines 54, 55 and the rear wall panel 16, with the second side flaps 30, 31 and the bottom reinforcing flaps 40, 41 in their previously folded position, is folded into an upright position about the fold line 12. Subsequently, the front wall 18, with the third side flaps 50, 51 in their previously folded position, is folded into an upright position about the fold line 13. This latter foldthereby brings the third side flaps 50, 51 inside the second side flaps 30,31 and positions the tabs 52, 53 on third side flaps 50, 51 in the slots 46, 47 provided therefore at the outside edge of the bottom reinforcing flaps 40, 41. Next the top .wall supporting flap- 19 is folded over about the fold line'14, and the retaining tabs 60, 61 are positioned between the second and third side flaps 30, 50, and 31, 51 respectively, to reach the partially assembled condition as shown in FIG. 2. Finally, the first side flaps 20, 21 are folded down about the spaced apart parallel fold lines 32, 33 and 34, 35 to position the first lockingtabs 28, 29 into the slots 46, 47 provided therefor to reach the assembled and ready for use condition shown in FIG. 3.

It should be noted thatthe container thus produced has considerable strength from top-to bottom because of the presence of the triple wall end sections. Moreover, the blank construction chosen uses a minimumamount of paperboard with little or no waste, and because the principal scores in the blank are perpendicular to the direction of corrugations, a further increase in strength is achieved in the assembled condition, thereby improving the efficiency of the container in mass production (or assembly line) packaging operations. It is also important to note that the tab and slot flap locking arrangement chosen for the preferred embodiment of the present invention contributes to the ease of assembly and efficient utilization of blank material. Notwithstanding these advantages, it would still be possible to employ other different end wall'section flap locking methods without deviating from the scope of the invention. Of course, the novel feature'of the present invention lies in the provision of the top wall supporting flap 19 with its retaining tab portions 60, 61. As shown in FIG. 3, the front wall of the container 18 lies slightly angulated to the rest of the container in the assembled, ready for use condition. The front wall 18 is maintained in its angulated position since the top wall support flap retaining tabs 60, 61 are fitted into the slots 64, 65 formed at the blank outer edges between the spaced fold lines 32, 33 and 34, 35. Thus the retaining tabs 60, 61 are dimensioned to fit easily within the slots 64, 65 when the container is being set up, yet they must be long enough and wide enough to be retained in the slots 64, 65 after the first side flaps 20, 21 are folded over and locked in position, and, especially while the container is being filled. Subsequently, when the final, filled container is readied to be strapped for shipment as shown in FIG. 4, the top closure panel is folded down about fold line 11 and the front wall 18 with its support panel 19 offers more than adequate support for the stresses encountered on the strapping machinery. Furthermore, because of the presence of the front wall panel flap 19, the four edges of the main body of the container each are formed by two joined panels thereby eliminating the possibility for the straps 75, 76 to cut into a single thickness wall.

FIG. 1a shows a modified form of the first side flaps 20, 21 wherein it will be noted that the notch 64 has been made continuous along the side flap because of the presence of the cut line 66. A similar cut line 67 v is shown in H6. 1 for the side flap 21. The purpose of showing the construction illustrated in FIG. la is to indicate a flexibility in the container design that does not effect its performance or utility. It may be seen with reference to FIG. 2 that by cutting side flap 20 at cut line 66, the result is one of permitting side flap 20 to be more easily folded over about fold lines 32, 33 and then locked in position. The retaining tab 60 still remains in position since the cut line 66 is coterminus with the bottom of the slot at 64.

Thus it may be seen that the present invention provides a container which is characterized by its strength in the assembled condition, by its ease of assembly and efficient utilization of material and particularly by its" unique construction which permits the container to withstand the stresses and container destructing forces encountered during a strapping operation. It should be noted however, that the container constructed in accordance with the present invention could also be stitched closed much like the containers of the prior art if desired.

While a specific embodiment of the present invention has been shown and described, it is to be understood that this is merely by way of example and should not be construed in any manner as a limitation. Thus it is contemplated that certain modifications may be made within the scope of the claims appended hereto without departing from the spirit of the invention.

I claim:

1. A blank of cut and scored paperboard or the like suitable for use in forming a container comprising:

a. a plurality of body forming panels foldably connected to one another along parallel fold lines and consisting of a top wall, rear wall, bottom wall and front wall;

b. a first pair of flaps located adjacent the ends of said top wall and separated therefrom by a pair of first cut lines, each of said first flaps including a first locking tab along an edge thereof;

c. a second pair of flaps foldably attached to the ends of said rear wall along a pair of single fold lines and to the adjacent edges of said first pair of flaps along a pair of spaced apart fold lines;

d. a pair of slots formed at the blank outer edges in the region of said spaced apart fold lines, said slots extending at least between said spaced apart fold lines;

e. a third pair of flaps located adjacent the ends of said bottom wall and separated therefrom by a pair of second cut lines said third pair of flaps being foldably attached to the adjacent edges of said second pair of flaps along a pair of single fold lines and including along said fold lines a pair of locking tab receiving slots;

f. a fourth pair of flaps foldably attached to the ends of said front wall and separated from the third pair of flaps by a pair of third outlines and including along said out lines a second pair of locking tabs cut from the adjacent pair of third flaps and,

g. a top wall supporting fiap foldably attached to the free edge of said front wall, said top wall supporting flap including a pair of retaining tabs foldably attached to each end thereof said retaining tabs being dimensioned to fit within and be retained by the slots formedat the blank outer edges.

2. A reinforced container formed from a single blank of paperboard or the like including triple wall end sections with at least two end walls connected together by a pair of spaced apart fold lines, a single paneltop wall, a single panel rear wall, a reinforced bottom wall and a single panel front wall, the improvement comprising, a top wall supporting flap foldably attached to the upper edge of said front wall, said top wall supporting flap including a pair of retaining tabs foldably attached to each end thereof, and a pair of slots located at the upper edge of each triple wall end section, said slots being formed along the blank outer edges in the region of said spaced apart fold lines, said slots extending at least between said spaced apart fold lines said retaining tabs being arranged to fit between two walls of each triple wall end section and dimensioned to be retained by said slots so as to maintain said front wall in an angulated position while the container is being filled.

3. The container of claim 2 wherein straps are provided for closing said container. 

1. A blank of cut and scored paperboard or the like suitable for use in forming a container comprising: a. a plurality of body forming panels foldably connected to one another along parallel fold lines and consisting of a top wall, rear wall, bottom wall and front wall; b. a first pair of flaps located adjacent the ends of said top wall and separated therefrom by a pair of first cut lines, each of said first flaps including a first locking tab along an edge thereof; c. a second pair of flaps foldably attached to the ends of said rear wall along a pair of single fold lines and to the adjacent edges of said first pair of flaps along a pair of spaced apart fold lines; d. a pair of slots formed at the blank outer edges in the region of said spaced apart fold lines, said slots extending at least between said spaced apart fold lines; e. a third pair of flaps located adjacent the ends of said bottom wall and separated therefrom by a pair of second cut lines said third pair of flaps being foldably attached to the adjacent edges of said second pair of flaps along a pair of single fold lines and including along said fold lines a pair of locking tab receiving slots; f. a fourth pair of flaps foldably attached to the ends of said front wall and separated from the third pair of flaps by a pair of third cut lines and including along said cut lines a second pair of locking tabs cut from the adjacent pair of third flaps and, g. a top wall supporting flap foldably attached to the free edge of said front wall, said top wall supporting flap including a pair of retaining tabs foldably attached to each end thereof said retaining tabs being dimensioned to fit within and be retained by the slots formed at the blank outer edges.
 2. A reinforced container formed from a single blank of paperboard or the like including triple wall end sections with at least two end walls connected together by a pair of spaced apart fold lines, a single panel top wall, a single panel rear wall, a reinforced bottom wall and a single panel front wall, the improvement comprising, a top wall supporting flap foldably attached to the upper edge of said front wall, said top wall supporting flap including a pair of retaining tabs foldably attached to each end thereof, and a pair of slots located at the upper edge of each triple wall end section, said slots being formed along the blank outer edges in the region of said spaced apart fold lines, said slots extending at least between said spaced apart fold lines said retaining tabs being arranged to fit between two walls of each triple wall end section and dimensioned to be retained by said slots so as to maintain said front wall in an angulated position while the container is being filled.
 3. The container of claim 2 wherein straps are provided for closing said container. 